Cascore's Note: Sorry everybody! It's been nearly three whole weeks since I last updated and I feel terrible about leaving this story on the back burner for so long, especially after trying so hard to get an update out every couple of days. Ironically enough, this chapter is titled "Priorities" and I'd been meaning to get it done for quite some time now, but the combination of writer's block, an MMO, finals at school, and the rare drama concerning a good friend of mine was quite the formidable force to be reckoned with. Again, I apologize, and hopefully I can get things back on track.

So, I've been reading the comments and I've noticed a few things: the chapters are too unnecessarily descriptive and there seems to just be a lack of something (I'm guessing feeling, though I may be wrong) that's making the story less enjoyable to read. I'm trying my best to address those issues so the story can continue to be enjoyable for you all, but, considering my time away from it these past couple of weeks, I may have reverted back into my bad habits. If so, just leave a comment detailing what I could change to make the reading overall more enjoyable. I appreciate the criticism and I'll try my hardest to adjust in favor of your suggestions.

Now that that's all out of the way, I'll quit jabbering and let you read on. As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 15: "Priorities"

Even though she was suspended right about twenty thousand or so feet in the air somewhere above the Mushroom Kingdom, Daisy was still having trouble coming to terms with the fact that she was actually flying to the Beanbean Kingdom that morning. She was wearing that yellow dress and those white gloves and that golden crown for the first time in several months, staring out the cabin window without a hint of expression in her eyes. For all her father knew from across the aisle, Daisy could have been anxious or excited or frustrated or some kind of odd mixture of the three. Of course, simply bored (and probably a bit disappointed) probably would have been the most accurate guess.

It was about nine forty at the time. The small, orange-themed, four-seat personal airplane had been in flight for twenty minutes shy of an hour by now, and whatever conversation that was to be had between the father-daughter pair burned away thirty-nine minutes ago. There was nothing to do but wait and try not to think about the fun she was forced to miss out on that took place back home; or at least, the place that had come to feel like home to her over the years, for her father instantly reminded her that the castle was where she would be spending the majority of her life after her "romp amongst the commoners" was over.

Really, it was things like that that just made Daisy come to dislike having to visit her father. If only he just wouldn't actually talk sometimes. Of course, the king never would understand why his daughter didn't like how he referred to citizens, for he labeled them commoners his entire life without ever being told that it was a negative term. And maybe it wasn't. If he'd paid attention to the way he said the word (which was always with a negative connotation) though, maybe he'd know why his daughter disliked it.

"King Sarasa, Princess Daisy," the lone Koopa stewardess adorned in a long sleeved, black blouse over the belly of her dark purple shell and a pair of black high heel shoes spoke up, stepping through the curtain separating the main cabin from the refreshment compartment. "We shall be arriving at the Beanbean International Airport in approximately ten minutes. Are there any beverages I can serve you before we land?"

Sarasa simply shook his head in response while Daisy, taking her gaze from the window for a small moment, politely declined.

"No thank you Kasey," she responded, prompting a surprised glance from both the stewardess and the king at once. How astonishing that Daisy actually remembered the lady's name, and managed to do it after only having ridden the plane twice in her life! That was an accomplishment Sarasa hadn't achieved in his lifetime of riding that plane several times a month. He just settled for calling the woman "stewardess" and leaving it at that.

Obviously flustered that a member of the royal family actually called her by her name, Kasey quickly gave a small nod accompanied by a slight blush just before speaking once again.

"We have been informed that it is currently raining over the airport," she imparted, earning herself a disdainful look from the king. "We will go through the necessary precautions and escort Your Highness and Your Majesty off of the plane underneath parasols."

Feeling unnerved by the king's disapproving look, Kasey departed from the cabin without another word. And now that the help was gone, Sarasa sighed and adjusted his large white turban uncomfortably.

"These people said there was only a ten percent chance of rain today," he said aloud, trying to egg some kind of response from his daughter.

"That does mean there was a chance," Daisy muttered as she looked out the window once again, taking note of the rain clouds hovering nearby. That wasn't exactly what he wanted his daughter to say, but the king couldn't deny that he expected that sort of answer from her.

"It would be unfortunate if our clothes were to be ruined by the downpour," he persisted, looking down at his rich attire consisting largely of a plush white robe and a pair of matching white pants.

"It's just water. It's not like our clothes are gonna evaporate if they get a little wet," Daisy retorted, only serving to displease her father as he gave up on trying to hold some form of light conversation with her. And Daisy didn't mind the silence at all.

If anything, Daisy was looking forward to seeing some rain on this trip. She honestly liked the sound of it pattering against her surroundings and looking at it was always calming, not to mention the smell of a wet environment was rather appealing most of the time; something about the oddly dusty aroma was pleasant, and considering Toad Town's almost perpetual sunshine, it had been a long time since Daisy had the pleasure of the scent surrounding her.

It wasn't long before the plane had descended far enough to break through the clouds and Daisy was able to see that the gray sky stretched all the way out to Stardust Fields, resting right at the land's northern boundary. Daisy knew that the kingdom wasn't very large, but the fact that a single raincloud was able to span it from border to border really put things into perspective.

The landing was completely flawless, an impressive feat in Daisy's eyes as she realized that the rain was quite heavy once the plane slowed to a stop in front of the airport's gate. Thank goodness. The thicker the rain, the better. And watching her dad freak out as he tried to keep the soles of his shoes dry would be entertaining. The man hated the slightest threat of water touching his clothes. While he was still wearing them at least.

"I suppose we could have agreed upon a better date," King Sarasa mumbled as he stared at the sky outside of his window, as if his disapproving stare would make the clouds stop producing rain. And when the clouds seemed to utterly ignore him, he simply closed the window's shutter, rejecting the clouds in return.

"Yeah, like next Saturday maybe," Daisy muttered in response as she kept looking out of her wide open shutter, as if to simply spite her father. "But my oh my, it appears that we will actually have to walk in the 'heaven's falling filth like dirty paupers'. Such a shame. And I was so looking forward to tea time out on the ramada, but it seems we will have to pass on the pleasure."

...How in the world did Sarasa inherit such a daughter? She openly mocked him and the royal status as a whole constantly and yet, she was to be the next queen of Sarasaland. At the very least she could pretend to be interested in the sort of life she would one day lead.

But those were her rebellious teenage years after all...even though she'd been acting that way since she was about six years old... Oh, whatever. She would grow out of it once she realized that she would have to worry about matters such as walking in rain and observing social pastimes that aided in the construction of relationships.

Sarasa would just have to stay steady through the weekend and put up with his daughter's endless sarcasm. She was there for one reason after all, though Sarasa was beginning to wonder if his daughter would act favorably in front of her hosts. This was her first diplomatic visit; if she was as cross with the Beanbean royal family as she was with him, that whole venture may only serve to work against him.

"Daisy, I know you're upset about having to miss that...Sporting Day or whatever it was, but I implore that you remain on your absolute best behavior in front of our hosts," Sarasa pleaded with a stern voice, causing his daughter to look over her shoulder at him with a frown for a brief time before looking back outside.

"I'm not a kid anymore Dad," Daisy retorted. "I know how important this visit is for our kingdom. Just because I'm not really happy with you right now doesn't mean I'm going to take it out on Queen Bean and Prince Peasley too."

"If you weren't a kid, you would be mature enough to deal with the fact that you had to miss something you favored for something that was crucial for the future of you and your people," Sarasa shot back, nailing Daisy with the rather harsh statement. "There are things in the world more important than playing games all day Daisy, and it seems you've yet to understand that. So until you've proven that you do understand, I will treat you like a child. And so I repeat, I implore you to remain on your best behavior these next two days."

Ouch... Sarasa had never spoken to his daughter quite like that before... But while he did make his own point, he seemed to completely miss Daisy's point altogether.

Sports Day didn't just mean playing games and having fun all day. ...Well, it kind of did, but that was only a plus next to the fact that, had she been able to attend the event, she'd have been able to go with her friends, pretty much the only other people in the world that cared about her besides her own family.

Luigi and Peach and Mario...it was doubtful that Toad would be there, but still, they were like her alternate family. Sure, she'd only known them for a week, but they were easily gems amongst the rough society of the high school setting that consistently succeeded in making life just that much more enjoyable. And having to leave them with no notice...not even being able to call them to tell them she wouldn't be able to make it (thanks to her father's strict rule of "No cell phones" during the trip)...it felt like she lied to them all. Especially since she was the one that seemed the most excited about the event in the first place.

She mostly thought about how Luigi must have been doing at the time. She managed to get him to promise to try at least a few of the other sports as long as she played by his side so he'd be more comfortable. And he actually seemed excited. Excited at the thought of go kart racing against Daisy and playing some basketball alongside her. He even told her that he was looking forward to Sports Day more than ever since Daisy stepped up and challenged him to extend his horizons beyond soccer. And now, she wasn't even there...

Because there were more important people to meet than her own "family" away from her family... There were more important matters at hand than helping a previously meek individual break out of his shell and stand with him as he attempted to branch out and do things he'd never challenged himself to do before...

Why did it have to be that way? Why couldn't she work for the advancement of her land and for the advancement of a single person that was important to her at the same time? Ugh. Being a princess that couldn't even make her own decisions yet was already seeming to take its toll on Daisy. How would it be once she was Queen? ...No, it was bad enough that these things already plagued her mind; thoughts about her days as Queen deserved to be quarantined until an undetermined future date. For now, well, it was time to depart. A limousine sent to pick the royal pair up and deliver them to the castle in as dry a fashion as possible waited on the tarmac and the stewardess made her reappearance in the cabin.

"King Sarasa, Princess Daisy, the escorts have arrived and are waiting just outside the door," she informed with a slight bow as Sarasa got to his feet. "Despite the weather, I hope you have a pleasant visit with the Beanbean royal family."

Appearing to ignore Kasey's well wishes, Sarasa walked by her in complete silence, reaching the doorway of the plane just as Daisy stood up herself. In the back of her mind, Kasey was dearly hoping that Daisy would show her courteous side once again and say something in response, but when the young princess slowly walked by the attendant without so much as a single word, she couldn't help but feel slightly crestfallen. That was how royalty could be sometimes though. One minute they were kind and spoke with a friendly nature and the next, they pretended as if nothing existed but them.

The princess did seem to look oddly distant though. Something had to be on her mind.

–

Wow, everyone in the Beanbean Castle certainly seemed...unanimated that morning. The Beanish guards that lined the hallways let their spears lean toward the ground a bit and some slouched so much that the maskings on their helmets snapped shut (and, for the most part, they didn't even bother lifting them back up). It was only when Sarasa and Daisy walked through the rather chilly foyer that everyone attempted to rile themselves into something of an alert position and give formal salutes to the passing royalty. The very second that they could drop their act though, it was obvious that they were trying very hard not to collapse on the spot. Sarasa would most definitely inquire the queen about the strange behavior right away, but Daisy found herself rather unable to care. As a matter of fact, she looked just as vacant as everyone around her.

Even as the visiting duo stepped into the conference room, where the local royal family awaited them near the far wall, the level of energy seemed to remain just as low. King Sarasa observed that Lady Lima was hardly awake, her eyes remaining closed underneath her slender yellow cloak as she slowly wavered back and forth, threatening to fall over at any moment. The queen's fatigue wasn't quite as noticeable of course, for she could just as easily have been asleep at that very moment, her pink dress serving as a blanket over her large, perfectly round body that seemed to be a great platform for erect slumber. Only the youngest of the group, the teenager only a couple years older than Daisy, seemed to be awake at all really.

"King Sarasa, it's nice to see you again," the young Prince Peasley greeted with quite the bright smile, stepping forward to shake the king's hand before taking a glance over at the man's daughter, who didn't seem to notice he was there. It wasn't until Peasley grabbed her hand and laid a kiss on it that Daisy even realized that she was in the room. "And it's my pleasure to meet you Princess Daisy," he said, looking rather deeply into Daisy's eyes, bringing her distant gaze back into the present. Observing the Beanish fellow's yellow hair, his clothes that resembled those of a knight (right down to a red cape bound at the neck by a golden pendant), and the sheathed sword at his side, the image suddenly seemed to remind Daisy that she was meeting the royal family of a foreign land.

"It's nice to meet you too," Daisy responded with a small curtsy, attempting to mask the fact that she was thinking about Luigi that entire time. Peasley made sure to draw her attention towards him though, for he soon informed his guests about just why everyone seemed so dead that morning.

"I hope you can excuse the lack of liveliness around here," Peasley said as he looked over at his mother and her aide, neither of whom moved an inch since Sarasa and Daisy entered the room. "We had a very busy night and not everyone was able to rest very well."

"I hope all the activity wasn't on our account," King Sarasa mentioned as a nearby guard abruptly fell to the ground, his armor letting out a loud clank as he proceeded to sleep on the tiled floor.

"As a matter of fact, we worked all night for the fair princess," Peasley answered, shooting a smile over at Daisy as he began to lead the pair out of the room. The father and daughter glanced at each other for a moment before following him, wondering what in the world they would have done just for Daisy.

"A little bird swung by and told us that you were forced to miss an event that was important to you in order to be here Daisy," Peasley informed as the group headed down another hallway of inattentive guards. "Something called 'Sports Day' if I'm correct."

"Yeah," Daisy spoke up, "But...it wasn't really that important. You didn't have to stay up all night just for me."

"It was no trouble at all," Peasley ensured with a small chuckle, turning the group down another hallway that contained a smaller amount of guards. "It was actually pretty fun working alongside the guards. I've discovered they're quite the motley bunch once they get the chance to do more than just stand around and look after the castle."

As the trio pressed on, Daisy came to see that Peasley was actually a pretty stand-up guy. Despite what she initially expected him to be (a snotty, snobbish, spoiled prince), Peasley proved that he was actually more in tune with reality than most. While being perfectly aware that he was a prince and that he would have to take initiative at times when it came to the well being of his people, he didn't let his status stop him from relating with those that he held social priority over. Peasley was actually friends with most of his guards, and quite a number of people residing in the Beanbean Castle Town simply adored him; it wasn't a rare occurrence for him to leave the castle and walk about the town, something he considered as a good strategy, for it allowed him to have some face time with the villagers; he was able to hear local concerns, complaints, comments, and simply have some friendly small talk all at the same time. The practice made him easily the most popular individual in pretty much all of the kingdom (for he also visited every other town and city for similar purposes) and, really, it was pretty hard not to like him.

Who knew. Daisy was actually beginning to think that the visit wouldn't be all that bad after all.

"Here it is. Our newly created 'Game Room'," Peasley announced with a chuckle and a showy flip of his hair that seemed to somehow light up the entire room. Though the effeminate gesture served to put off Daisy a fair bit, her attention was soon drawn to the massive room that rested before her.

Roughly the size of a football field, the space was filled with video game machines, billiard tables, carnival game stands, all kinds of things that served to entertain any guests that wandered within (there was even a go-kart course that wound its way through the room and occasionally poked outside). It was truly a wonder how in the world they could set up such an extravagant establishment in the span of a single night, and manage to hire a staff to run the place, but Daisy had to admit, she didn't really care how they accomplished the feat. Observing everything before her, she not only appreciated all of the work that took place in her honor, but she was beginning to feel a bit more excited. Sure, all of that wasn't exactly what she would have set up as a replacement for Sport Day, but it was all designed for basically the same purpose: to have fun.

As she looked around though, Daisy quickly remembered just what made Sports Day so special to her: the community. Sure, that room had enough to entertain a large portion of the Beanbean Castle Town, but that didn't mean that the people of the town were actually there with her. Really, what was the point of having such a substantial amount of entertainment when it would only be available to a very select few people? The whole thing just seemed to contradict itself really. And Sarasa's and Peasley's sudden decision to depart didn't do anything to help the situation at all.

"This room is all well and good Peasley," Sarasa commented with the slightest hint of disdain, obviously upset to see that the royal family toiled so much to create such a place without first informing him, "But I believe we should return here later. We've yet to greet your mother and her aide after all; it's only proper manners to meet with them before moving on to...games and such," he concluded, clearing his throat uncomfortably as he turned to exit.

"Of course Sarasa," Peasley agreed cheerily as he clapped his hands together. "I only wished to show our fair princess the result of our night's work."

"Yes, well, I'm sure she's excited to explore it, but we are here for...other reasons," Sarasa spoke carefully as he began to leave the room alongside the young prince, who immediately knew that the king wasn't terribly excited about the new establishment. Sarasa's dislike for the room didn't put Peasley off in the slightest however; he was actually rather tickled that the jaded king disapproved of it. All the more reason to try and get him to warm up to it later on down the line.

Daisy stayed behind as the two men made their way out of the room, quickly wrapping each other in conversation as they went along. It seemed rather easy for them to forget about her as they began to pontificate about past visits and the young princess didn't mind in the slightest that she was soon left alone in the large room.

With the various forms of entertainment strewn about before her, she felt almost like she was forced to step forward and walk throughout the provided pathways. Gazing here and there blankly, she began to wonder just what was going on back in Toad Town at that moment. She wondered if Mario and Peach were playing tennis together like they said they would, or if Luigi was pushing himself to participate in more than just a couple of soccer matches...

Daisy hoped he was. That kid held himself back so much when it came to trying new things... If only he made an attempt, he might find that he was pretty good at performing outside of his comfort zone. But, if she was to be honest with herself, Daisy couldn't expect Luigi to do it. Knowing him...well, he was probably spending his time looking for her. Everyone was probably looking for her. And their efforts would end up being fruitless, no matter how hard they tried to find her.

Finding a bench situated just outside of a bumper car arena, Daisy sat herself down and gave a sweeping scan of her immediate vicinity with a small sigh. Somehow, looking at such a room filled to the brim with entertainment yet completely devoid of actual life was rather depressing. Really, what was the point of its existence, besides to act as a substitute for Daisy's missed day? She would have to leave sometime. What would happen to the place then?

Hm. Well, it didn't really matter. The future of the area wasn't any concern of hers anyway...even if it was brought about thanks to her. It wasn't like she asked for it... All she wanted was to stay home... Wake up that morning in her comfy bed... Head out to the park... And while the day away with her friends and her family...

I'm so sorry guys... I wish I could have at least been able to tell you that I couldn't be there... You have no idea how much I want to be with you all though...

Come on Daisy, don't worry about it. It's not your fault.

Daisy was so deep in thought at that moment, she could swear that she heard Luigi's voice answering her. It sounded so real, so alive...he could have just as easily been sitting right next to her, giving off that cute little smile he unconsciously wore whenever he spoke to her. Daisy wondered if he ever even noticed that he did it. Whether or not he did though, Daisy had to admit, she adored that smile...

But I made such a big deal about it, and now I'm not even there to experience it with you. I feel so bad about it.

It's okay Daisy. You have personal obligations that you need to take care of. You have priorities in your own life that don't involve us.

I don't want them though... I don't want any of this.

Then what do you want?

I want to be back home... I want to be with my family and my friends...with you.

With me?

Yeah...I really want to see you again. I never realized just how different things seem when you're around. I know, it's kinda weird...but everything just seems better when I'm with you. I mean, you always know how to make me smile, and...well... Ugh, it feels weird just thinking about this. Here I am, hundreds of miles away from you...mmm. I've never felt this way before.

Who are you Daisy?

Who am I? What do you mean? I'm Daisy. You already know that.

You're keeping a secret from me though. You're not who you want me to think you are. What are you hiding?

I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm just a fourteen year old girl. That's it.

You're lying.

I live in Toad Town with my aunt and uncle and my little cousin... What am I lying about?

Where are you right now?

I'm in the...oh...right...

Tell me the truth Daisy. Tell me why you aren't here with me right now if you really wish you could be. Because right now, I honestly don't see why you aren't.

I've never told anyone about my heritage though. Nobody's supposed to know about it.

You can trust me Daisy. I swear your secret will be kept safe with me.

I know I can trust you. I just don't want you to think differently of me because of it. So you'd better not start acting all weird once I tell you, alright?

I thought I already acted all weird around you.

Well, yeah, you do, but don't act any weirder than you normally do.

I'll try not to.

Daisy could swear she was going out of her mind as the invisible, unspoken conversation that existed solely in her thoughts persisted. To her though, the dialogue felt and even sounded as real as if it were taking place right then and there. But even in her own mind, Daisy found it difficult to converse with the boy, for her own thoughts and concerns constantly seeped their way into Luigi's words.

Was she really developing such feelings for him? And if she was, how should she go about letting him know and being honest with him about herself? Would he be able to accept the fact that Daisy was a princess? And what about her father...? God, she didn't even want to know what he would have to say about it. His daughter falling for a commoner...that was one thing he certainly didn't want. And he never had to worry about it since Daisy never did seem to care about boys or dating or anything of the sort. But things were different now... How would he take it?

So many questions and so many obstacles barring the way...at the moment, those feelings felt more like a burden than anything. She'd always known that infatuation was a double-edged sword, but she never would have guessed that one edge could make her feel so awkward and uncertain. All she wanted was to see Luigi and be able to speak with him but she simply couldn't, and knowing that just tore her apart. She could think and she could wonder all she wanted, she could fantasize and plan and do anything with her imagination, but until she was able to actually talk with the boy...well, that was all that she could do. Action would have to wait for later, and waiting wasn't something that Daisy liked to do.

"Ah, there you are," the prince's voice rang out from a short distance away, snapping Daisy out of her daydream. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Daisy apologized immediately as she stood from the bench. "I just wanted to have a quick look around."

"Well I hope you like it, I think we'll be spending a fair amount of time in here," Peasley hinted with a smile, prompting a forced grin in return from Daisy. "We should be heading for the conference room though; your father seemed pretty upset that you stayed back here."

"What a shocker," Daisy mumbled nearly inaudibly as Peasley turned to lead her out of the room. Before she went to follow him though, Daisy gave an over-the-shoulder glance back to the bench. And sitting there with a smile on his face, acting as a figment of her imagination, Luigi waved goodbye shortly before disappearing back into the recesses of Daisy's mind. Daisy gave a faint frown as she swore that she felt her heart literally sink into her chest.

Those feelings...brand new to her and causing her such pain right off the bat... It began to feel like that weekend would never end.